Disclaimer: I don't own H20 or the Hunger Games

Emma opened her eyes and awoke with a start. She felt her head pounding as bright lights blinded her weak eyes. Last she remembered she had been taken into the stylist room to be fixed for the tribute parade and they had applied some. . .

"NOOOOO!" She freaked out. Now the capitol and perhaps all of Panem knew of her seacret. Now Cleo, Rikki and possibly Lewis were in danger back home!

"It's okay, you're safe!" a calm male voice said to her left.

Emma sat up to find she was wearing a blue plastic dress on top of an entirely naked body. She was on a hospital bed in a room with metal walls. Next to her was an olive skinned man with straight black hair.

"I gotta admit what your body did was a bit surprising but my team did our best to make sure no one found out. Although Janus my assistant did have to sedate you since you freaked out. While you were out we covered your lower body and told everyone you simply had a seizure. My name is Linus by the way."

"So nobody knows?" Emma asked, a bit concerned.

"No one except my team." Linus responded. Your seizure will give the people of the capitol plenty to talk about though, and I don't know what effect that will have?" Linus said

"Okay, could have been I am Emma, Emma Gilbert, if there are to be introductions," Emma said, trying to sound confident.

"Well I already know your name from seeing your reaping and in fact I am happy I landed with you since I was supposed to style the before Cinna asked to swap places with me. I have never understood why he opted for the worst district when he clearly is one of the better stylists."

"Perhaps he wants to give them a chance. I mean I am sure that girl would like to get home to her 12-year old sister just as much as I want to see my family and friends back at Four again."

"Well you ought to rethink your attitude since I just hid your secrets from the Capitol scientists. Also me and Juvia have been working on ways to make you stand out on the tribute parade."

Emma's face fell down as she knew the tributes from Four often got draped in revealing fishing-net inspired outfits. Which still was better than when the District 12 tributes were entirely naked and covered in coal dust, which was a departure from the standard coal-miner's outfits that almost always draped their malnourished bodies.

"Well this year we have decided that we want to show the Capitol that District Four is back and means business. Since no one will remember you in those fishnet-outfits , we are going to focus more on the ocean and the ancient myths that surround it," Linus explained, causing Emma's face to lighten up a bit.

The anthem started playing as the giant stable doors slowly opened. Emma was standing next to Ash, both wearing tunics with various shades of blue along with a trident-like crown. The chariot that they were standing in had been painted cyan along with many decorations based on real and mythical sea life. Thankfully the mint-colored horses had not been styled to look like seahorses as that would impede their ability to follow orders during the parade Linus had told them.

"Just remember to wave and smile!" The advice given to them by Linus echoed in Emma's head as the District One chariot started to roll out into the view of the Capitol crowd.

One by one the Capitol sent the chariots out into the path in full view of the entire capitol. The Horses then pulled the chariots along the pathway before coming to a stop and forming a semi circle around the main balcony of the Government Plaza, where the white-bearded President Snow stood. While Emma and Ash certainly managed to get a few cheers and gifts thrown their way the capitol's reaction to them was nothing compared to District 12 who were not only wearing black capes with synthetic fire but also raised their hands together. Which seemed to get all the attention during the parade.

Just as Emma's legs were starting to hurt from standing still in a chariot Snow walked up the podium and cleared his throat.

"Welcome, citizens of Panem, to the 74th annual Hunger Games. May the bring pride and glory upon our great nation," Snow began his speech.

"To the 24 tributes that have gathered around me, listen carefully!" Snow continued.

"Wow that is weird he never addresses the tributes directly as far as I have seen?" Ash whispered, turning to Emma."

"Me neither," Emma shot back with a confused look on her face.

"I have a special announcement to make; as a show of the Capitol's generosity, as well as a celebration for their continued service and sacrifices; for this year, and this year only; the final two remaining tributes will be crowned victors to show that cooperation is encouraged and rewarded."

Emma gasped wondering if she had heard those exact words from President Snow's mouth.

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